The UK’s wine industry generated a record £4 billion in tax revenue in the past 12 months while spirits revenues increased by £54m in the past six, despite a freeze on wine and cut on spirits duty in 2015.

The UK is not starting with a blank piece of paper when it comes to negotiating trade agreements outside the EU, the former Minister for Trade and Minister for Europe told the wine and spirit industry – and it is not in Europe’s interests to ‘punish” the UK.

Brexit is set to be the “overwhelming” priority of the WSTA over the next few years, CEO Miles Beale told members at its annual conference – but the wider industry also needs to also take a lead in forming the post-Brexit landscape.